Cuomo Punts On Medicaid, Legislators, Sachs

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Q-and-A with reporters following his Binghamton budget address this morning.

The governor declined to take the bait when asked – twice – by a reporter whether Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is “part of the problem or part of the solution” in Albany, saying only:

“We’re working very hard to work on both sides of the aisle with Democrats and Republicans to work cooperatively. These are very tough issues. The economy is very tough, as you know. but I’m hopeful that we can come up with a cooperative solution.”

“If we have a budget cooperatively with the Assembly and the Senate, then everyone is part of the solution. If we don’t, then I’m sure there will be a lot of finger pointing.”

Cuomo also side-stepped a question about whether Deputy Senate Majority Leader Tom Libous, a Binghamton Republican who just so happened to be standing right behind the governor while he chatted with reporters, should keep his 2010 campaign pledge to former NYC Mayor Ed Koch and support redistricting reform.

“Senator Libous I know on a personal level, and he is a man of integrity and a man of character,” the governor said. “On his intentions and on his votes, that you should talk to him about.”

Cuomo didn’t want to take a position on this morning’s report that the Health Department – an executive agency – is proposing a 4 percent cap on the annual increase in Medicaid financing.

“We have a Medicaid redesign team, task force, that’s underway now,” the governor said. “They are considering a number of proposals, literally dozens of proposals. They’re meeting as we speak actually. They’re meeting in Albany today.”

“And they’re going through proposals to redesign the program to find savings and also to make the program work better for people. It’ll be done over the next several days, and then we’ll get their report. They have a lot of proposals that they’re considering now.”

“Let’s wait and see what the final proposals are, and then we’ll comment on them. I know they’re considering a number of proposals. Until they’re final proposals, I’m not going to offer an opinion.”

Cuomo was equally reticent when asked to respond – and if he is concerned by – a call from good government groups and others for the Public Integrity Commission to investigate whether his good friend and health care advisor Jeffrey Sachs has violated the lobbying law.